Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Eight local activists were arrested during a “sit-in” to prevent the construction of the San Marcos Foothills.
The event started on Wednesday afternoon and continued into Thursday at the end of Via Gaitero off Highway 154 near the “Bridge to Nowhere.”
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reported eight people were arrested and an additional person was cited.
The San Marcos Foothills Preserve is a protected area of 200 acres between Santa Barbara and Goleta in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The Save San Marcos Foothills nonprofit has been attempting to purchase a parcel of undeveloped open space adjacent to the preserve that’s scheduled to have eight homes built on the West Mesa.
Videos posted online showed approximately 20-30 people standing near the gate holding signs, some singing indigenous chants stating they are protecting native land and animals. Activists remained in the area overnight and into Thursday morning.
“Deputies became aware of the protest around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, when contractors called to report a potential for conflict with the protesters at a construction site on the north end of Via Gaitero. Deputies monitored the area overnight,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “This morning, as construction equipment arrived, several people prevented the contractors from accessing private property at the north end of Via Gaitero.”
The Sheriff’s Office stated protesters “willfully obstructed the free movement of the contractors, who were in possession of a valid permit to access and work on the property.”
A video posted on social media showed two bulldozers parked near several Sheriff’s vehicles facing the protestors. Sheriff Sgt. Calderon introduced himself to the crowd and stated he appreciated what everyone was doing but the crew behind him had a job to do and they will be bringing equipment through the area. He asked for voluntary compliance for the group to move out of the way or else people will be arrested and booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail.
Six women and two men were arrested on the scene and transported to the County Main Jail at 7:19 a.m. All were booked for willfully obstructing the free movement of any person, a misdemeanor violation. A man received the same citation for using a V-arm tube to chain himself to a gate post at the entrance to the property.
“No force other than handcuffing was used to effect the arrests, and no protesters or deputies were injured during the incident,” the Sheriff’s Office states. “After the booking process, each arrestee was issued a citation and released from jail upon their promise to appear in court.”
Deputies remained on scene until shortly after noon Thursday, when the contractor and protesters arrived at an agreement and law enforcement was no longer needed to access the property, said the Sheriff’s Office.
An Instagram account titled “savethesanmarcosfoothills” stated they are asking the developers of the project to pause the construction and give the community more time to raise money to purchase the foothills.
The Chadmar Group, developers of the project, purchased the 350 acres of foothills in 2005 with the intent of donating 300 acres to the county. This current project would be 25 acres.
[Ed Note: This article has been updated with information from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office]
Working this project that is actually keeping most of the land free for hiking…
The developers agreed to preserve a fraction of that. Is that really your argument, that developers are how we preserve things? Pearl Chase and people who saved SB from becoming an extension of LA are rolling in their graves watching fools like you become the voice of “conservatives.” Pathetic.
You obviously have no knowledge OR understanding of this project. This is private land. A deal was made to open up virtually the entire property as a preserve in exchange for 8 houses being built. That’s a big win for the community…as this was land that was private and fenced…and suddenly became a wonderful spot for all to enjoy. Within that agreement, which also included the owners putting aside money for the development of the trails, they were allowed to build 8 houses on THEIR property! It was heralded as a massive win for conservationists and environmentalists 15 years ago…and in the ensuing years has become a cherished open spot for people to enjoy. You wanting to break that agreement and steal all the land is beyond pathetic…it’s crazy…and is the voice of “craziness”.
The owner wanted more houses (obviously) than 8. To get that though they had to donate 300 acres to become the preserve. They literally gave up almost everything…to get those 8 houses. So what I was saying is that we already got almost everything from this property (the 300 acres of preserve)…to demand that they not then be able to build the 8 houses would be taking “everything”.
So no, the owner didn’t give it as a gift…but a lot was extracted from them to have the right to build 8 houses. So yes…it was a huge win for SB…a great trade! So to now be upset that 8 houses are being built is the height of hypocrisy and lunacy. We got almost everything from this property…and in exchange they are going to build 8 houses. That’s a insignificant price to pay for this cherished piece of now public land.
The voice of craziness is breaking the initial agreement and carving out more of the preserve to build mini-mansions. On hillside SB land with astronomical fire insurance rates. Watch, they’ll build some ugly garbage and it will burn down in 5 years.
What are you talking about ? The initial agreement was to build 8 houses…which they are now starting to build! There has been no break of the agreement…the only break is the psychotic one that people who have no concept of reality (or understanding of the project) in thinking the preserve is being taken over by 8 houses…when it’s the exact opposite! The preserve was created out of this 8 house development! So what break are you talking about?????
It’s (I guess) fine that you are seemingly hoping for these houses to burn down in 5 years…but do you really want to steal peoples land? And if so…Why stop here? There are houses above the preserve (and below)! We should take the Trout Club! And Painted Cave!
Sadly, they are building the remaining 8 homes on the best part of the preserve. (IMO)
Nearly all the rest have been built. We have been enjoying the solitude of the preserve long before it was a preserve. It’s sad that no one has come forward to pony up the remaining $$$ to buy the last remaining acres of open space. (yes, I did donate). These community gems are disappearing fast, with other open spaces are also slated for luxury homes. Joni Mitchell wrote a song about it.
Map of the proposed homes here: https://www.sanmarcospreserve.com/the-estates
They have every right to protest and I commend them for that. But c’mon, what an embarrassment to protestors around the world. Santa Barbara has a core group of folks who do not miss any opportunity to protest….they even reuse their signs and slogans over and over. This is not some sort of grass-roots protest, these are serial protesters who need something to do with their lives, then meet up at Spices/Vices (or wherever) afterwards to happily discuss the protest de jour. Such small “per-tay-terz” as my Papa would say.
A follow up (to any/all fired up about this):
Are you angry about the 5 affordable housing units built on the property as part of this project as well? As per the agreement, not only did SB get the preserve land…they also got 5 affordable housing units (and the preserve and affordable units had to be built first). This was the slam dunk of all slam dunk deals for SB…a stunning preserve and 5 affordable housing units! Are we all outraged that the affordable units are on the preserve as well?
If they were Republicans and didn’t like the crews breaking ground – they’d just storm city hall and build gallows outside.
The entire project (when adding in the houses right next to SB Community Church off Cieneguitas) is 15 houses plus 5 affordable housing units! Pretty remarkable to get the preserve and 5 affordable housing units on this deal…truly a slam dunk! Let them build and lets hope on the next deal we get something remotely close to this good of a deal for SB!
20 homes total, 5 of them “affordable”. That means less than the $2.85-4M the rest have sold for but I doubt you and I will be able to buy them. Remember the “affordable” apts at the Mark that were $3,000/mo? The 8 they are trying to save are on the West Mesa next to undeveloped area. The other 12 are being built no matter what.
Let me know when you are able to purchase one of these “affordable” units.
Based on what? I’m betting nothing.
Duke, do your research. 20 houses. 15 mansions. 5 mansionettes for the hoi polloi. Easy to discount your flimsy arguments.
Keep gaslighting and acting like the original agreement wasn’t broken. Let me guess, you’re a real estate agent. Real credit to the community you must be.
Yes, the hardened criminals cursing at officers are passionate people of conscience. Unlike the hardened criminals that attacked the the Congress and killed an officer. See the difference?
Except the affordable units sold for 171k each…they were, truly, affordable units. Do you ever research anything before you write it?
Well…I guess…more crazy vs still pretty crazy…so crazy all around but the one group violently crazy and the other more verbally crazy?
And kill an officer as part of it, right?
Where was it broken? Can you point something out…I mean I know you cant…but…want to try? Here’s a link to the San Marcos Preserve to help you though…
http://sanmarcosfoothills.com/history.html
Still waiting Pit…once again you are obviously and definitively wrong…anything to add here or…?
1021 Cieneguitas Rd – $170,700
Brand new SB County Affordable unit. Buyers went through the County approval and lottery process to obtain this unit.
The protesters should be cursing themselves. They voted for the politicians that brought us unlimited population growth and the subsequent housing shortage.
eh….yeah I’m with Pit on this…so who could afford one of these? 1%? Probably so and that’s all.
Pitmix you take in a few homeless in your pad, we know you can. And then (if you) make some money then you can decide if you want to give it back away just to have it wasted. Report back in a decade or so and until then you probably should … rethink (wanted to go harsher). Your philosophy sends all of us down the tubes.
we need a lot more affordable homes in this town..not mansions on one of the last pieces of open to the public space we have … not to mention a space for wild life.
Zero – they sold the affordable units for 171k…
So… this deal got us a beautiful preserve and 5 truly affordable units… what the hell are you talking about!!! This wasn’t land “we had”! It was private land used as a dairy farm and cattle ranch over the years. From that we got a preserve and 5 affordable units…
You mean one of the people cursing out the police after being repeatedly warned to disperse?
Well watch the video provided. Law enforcement doing their job and getting cursed at with rank profanity left and right. Right in their face. That’s what I see. If I were an officer like these were, just doing their job, I’d be pretty sour getting blasted at with f-bombs left and right from that crowd. Wouldn’t anyone? That crowd (maybe it was a handful I don’t know) sounded like they were trying their very hardest to start a real conflict, trying to get the officers to lash out and get caught on camera reacting physically. And the officers didn’t.
Pigs
Any reports yet of a single one of these protesters tearing down their own home to return the land they legally own back to indigenous people?
An embarrassing display by the “activists”… The Police officers are just doing their job…
I stand with and applaud the efforts those who are protesting the development of the San Marcos Preserve and the land surrounding it. Their sentiment reflects the true spirit of the Santa Barbara community and what makes it special.
“The rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course for him to pursue is to add another animal to his herd. And another; and another . . . But this is the conclusion reached by each and every rational herdsman sharing a commons. Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit — in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons. Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.” – Garrett Hardin
Be it a herdsman adding to his herd, or a developer adding another development, and the profit derived therefrom to his pocket, the result is the same – degradation of the environment and destruction of our open space – which affects us all.
Pit – it’s the opposite here though! Practically every possible concession was given from this private land 15 years ago to build these 8 houses. From that came the preserve that we all enjoy. This is people who are already took almost everything… now moving the goal post and wanting to literally take everything! Perhaps you are of the mistaken belief that this is a development out of a preserve… when it is the opposite… from a development a beautiful preserve was created.
Good for them! Protesting the development of our quickly disappearing open spaces should be admired! Eight homes? Why do we need 8 more “estates” up there?
Doing their jobs…. ruining people’s lives.
CONSERVATIVESB – ah yes, the old “you can’t protest if you use something you’re protesting about” blabber you cons love to spout off about. So now you acknowledge that the land we all live on doesn’t belong to us? Heck, I’m pretty liberal and I don’t even believe that. Way to be more progressive!
Because someone gave up 300 acres of their property along with funding to create the preserve with the deal being they could build 8 homes… that was a huge win for everyone as they wanted quite a few more homes than that. To steal that ability now is literally that… theft! You are in essence penalizing them because they had to create the preserve first…
The police? There is one thing to protest something… but that doesn’t really allow or excuse you to treat the police officers who have orders and laws to follow from doing their jobs. Fight it in court… but berating the police who are calmly doing their job is wrong.
Booked and released, right? Real criminals aren’t going to jail so people of conscience definitely shouldn’t.
It’s not blabber. It is the height of hypocrisy. The literal definition of hypocrisy is your quote “you can’t protest if you use something you’re protesting about”. Another example is “you can’t dine indoors but I will”. Or “you can’t go to a hair salon but I will”.
Didn’t “give” it up, was forced to, to get approval for the mansionettes. Hopefully a fire captain will buy one so they can make sure the homes are protected during the next fire. That seems to help.
“lets stop them from building on indigenous land after they donated 87% of it. And after lets get together at my house built on indigenous land”
What about arguments don’t work. Surprised you didn’t ask if they drove to the protest or wear leather or eat meat.
The people cursing out the police officers for doing their jobs are the people of conscience?
CONSERVATIVE – Those examples are not what we’re talking about, those ARE hypocritical. But, protesting the development of our precious open space does not mean you can’t live in a house. Yeah, at one point ALL of our country was open space, so what? Does that mean we can’t protest against the development of the little open space we have left? Do we really need 8 more houses in this town? No.
So… now you want to steal their ability to use their part of the land in the deal?
Give us your land and pay to improve it… and then in 15 years we’ll demand the rest of it too!! Good deal!
DUKE – we don’t need 8 more houses in SB, especially not at the cost of even 25 acres of precious and rare open space. The didn’t “give up” anything, in order to purchase the land, they were required to donate part. Please don’t start a pity party for the poor developers who are just trying to be generous…..
Thank you for getting back on point. Ill admit I digressed. I’ll point out your HRC tone “at this what difference does it make?” in your “so what?”. If you think this county has “a little open space” you need to get out more. And they’re developing 25 acres of the 350 they originally purchased. They literally donated 300 acres to create the preserve. If your argument is zero new houses are allowed to be built, then we cannot argue this because your argument is about homes being built and not where they’re being built.
I agree! Raise money and buy the land in order to preserve it. Until that happens, it is the owner’s right to develop.
I’m confused. It was part of the deal – the developer builds the houses, and in return the preserve remains open space forever. Why are we protesting this?
I mean, if you want the rest of the land, then buy it.
Sac – you are wrong here. The owner of this property made a deal to give up 300 acres to create a preserve for all of sb! This was private fenced off land. The deal was, donate the land and some money for its maintenance and then be allows to build 8 houses. This was a huge win for environmentalists when it happened 15 years ago… do you not remember that? To now not let them build would be akin to theft. The deal was very anti building… they wanted a lot more houses. This truly is the definition of a win win…
PITMIX Are the homes on the other side of 154 in any less danger? Protesters should be stationed over there in case anyone wants to develop and build a house. Including the construction workers this development will bring long term employment to many people. Maintenance and repair, Landscape, appliance and home furnishing sales. This is what the community need to help recover from the lockdown..
What would you rather have in 20 years, a nature preserve that is valued by thousands and helps the local ecosystem, or eight mini-mansions that will probably be gutted and flipped by speculators by then? The protesters are standing up for traditional Santa Barbara CONSERVATIVE values, the police are backing up developers and short-term profit motive. The sheriffs make me sad, they have the potential to make SB better but are miserably backward in their purpose, management, tactics, and meaningful connection to the community.
Chillin –
THE PRESERVE IS HERE TO STAY FOREVER BECAUSE OF THESE 8 HOUSES!!! What do you not understand about that???? This was private land that made an agreement to create a 300 acre preserve for all to enjoy…and through that be allowed to build 8 houses on their property. And what would you have the police do…fight for whatever cause they personally believe instead of enforcing the law???
Fair enough!!! And I hope someone comes up with they money (and seemingly that needs to happen immediately) to buy this property and fully “preserve” it…but in the mean time, I’ll be there this weekend with the kids to wander around and enjoy this once private and now open public space!
And while I am feeling a little argumentative (pitmix on another thread wondered what could possibly be the harm in 3 more months remote….grrrrr), I do have to say that berating and cursing out the police in this situation/capacity is wrong. I can see protesting and being upset, but cursing out the police and making their lives worse/harder just for doing their jobs in a seemingly calm and compassionate manner is wrong.
People keep making more people so… where are they supposed to live?
Nice to see concerned citizens expressing their views. They have a RIGHT to. However, you don’t get to prevent people from doing their jobs just because you have a big, fat derriere, and park it in the middle of the road.
The entitlement of these protesters is obnoxious. Where was this outrage when this project was in the approval process for years? Where were they during PC and BAR meetings? Those of us who live with the threat of fire from increased encroachment into our foothills fought this project for a long time. You should have seen the original proposed plans many years ago. The owners in the 60s & 70 were going to build hundreds of houses here, hence the bridge to nowhere. We already did the actual work and stopped this land from many more houses. We were able to get a majority of
It preserved in perpetuity. Trust me no one wants this development here. If attorneys cannot stop it through legal channels, people chaining themselves to the gate won’t either. When people grow up they learn to pick and choose their battles. This battle has been fought and unless you can come up with the cash, this is private property and trespasses will be removed. Those officers were very clear explaining everything very calmly . These protesters did nothing for the cause other than looking like a bunch of idiots.